Automatic pocket match-box.



A. 1. LILLY,

AUTOMATIC POCKET MATCH BOX.

APPLxcATloN. F|LED MAY15, 1915.

1,1 98,394. Patented sept. 12,1916.

Supe/whom Gwr 76 OCZ, zzy.

UNTTED sTATEs PATENT oEEroE.

ANDREW J. LILLY, OF GLEN MORGAN, WEST VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR. TO J. A. LILLY, OF GLEN MORGAN, WEST VIRGINIA.

AUTOMATIC POCKET MATCH-BOX.

Application filed May 15, 1915.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, ANDREW J. LILLY, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Glen Morgan, in the county of Raleigh and State of Vest Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Pocket Match-Boxes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to an automatic pocket match box and has for its principal object the production of a box wherefrom a match may be easily delivered when it is desired to use the same.

Another object of this invention is the production of a match box wherein a slide is provided which is so constructed as `to partially force a match from the interior of the box so that the match may be easily withdrawn from the box as desired.

Another object of this invention is the production of a spring member which is adapted to urge the matches within the box over upon the slide member so that when the slide member is moved it may easily deliver a match from the box.

With these and other objects in view, this invention consists of certain novel combinations, constructions, and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a detailed perspective view of the automatic pocket match box, as constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section through the box. Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. l is a section taken on the line T- of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 5 is a detailed perspective view of a certain finger used in this invention for urging the matches toward the slide. Fig. 6 is a detailed perspective view of the slide. Fig. 7 is a detailed perspective view of the button used for operating the slide.

Referring to the accompanying drawing by numerals itv will be seen that the match box comprises a hollow body 1. This hollow body 1 is provided with a cap 2 which is pivotally secured thereto by means of the pivot pin 3 which extends through the cap Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 12, 1916.

Serial No. 28,376.

and through the body 1. A llat spring 4 is held in engage ment with the body 1 by means of the rivet 5 and in engagement with the cap by means of the rivet 6 whereby an outward pressure is exerted upon the cap 2 for normally urging the same toward an open position. This cap 2 is normally retained in a closed position by means of the spring lip 7 which fits within the notch 8 formed in the forward side of the body 1 and is retained in position by means of the rivet 9. A lug 10 is formed upon the spring lip 7 and has its outer end rounded so as to easily pass through the opening 11 formed in the cap 2. It will be seen that by pressing inwardly upon the lug 10 the cap 2,-will be released so as to allow the spring l to swing the cap to an open position as desired.

In order to urge the matches 12 toward one side of the box, there is provided a linger 13 in which there is formed an opening l-L through which the pin 15 extends for pivotally securing the finger 13 within the body 1, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. This finger 13 is curved throughout its entire length so as to easily ride upon the matches 12 as it urges the same toward one side of the body 1. Adjacent the opening 14 formed in the linger 13 there is provided a notch 16 wherein lits one end of the flat spring 17. This flat spring 17 extends within the body 1 behind the linger 13 so as to engage the retaining pin 18 for holding the same in its correct position. From this construction it will be seen that the flat spring 17 will normally exert a pressure upon .the matches 12 for forcing the same toward one side of the box body 1.

The elongated slide 19 is positioned within the body 1 adjacent its forward side edge and has the opening 20 through which the stem 21 of the button 22 is lixedly secured. A U-shaped guide plate 23 is also carried upon the stem 21 so as to ride upon the outer portions of the box body 1. This body 1 is provided with an elongated notched portion 24 within which the plate 23 is adapted to ride. Therefore, it will be seen that this plate will be carried so as to form a substantially even surface upon the outer portions of the box so that at the same time it will assist in holding the slide against wabbling or shaking when inoperation. This body 1 is .provided with an elongated slot 25 communicating with the notched portion 24 so as to allow the stem 21 to be moved in either direction, as desired. This slide 19 is provided at its lower end with an ear 26 which normally rests within the socket 27 formed in the bottom of the body 1-. The inner portion 28 of the bottom extends above the socket 27 so that when the ear 26 is carried within the socket it will be below the plane of the inner portion of the bottom as shown at 28. Therefore, the pressure brought to bear upon the matches by means of the finger 13 will move one match over the upper portion of the socket 27 so as to be positioned above the ear 26, as shown in Fig. 2. T hen by moving the button 22 toward the cap 2 the match which is engaged by the ear 26 will be moved upwardly so as to pass through the aperture 29 formed in the cap 2. It will be noted that the slide 19 is provided with an inwardly extending offset portion 30 which is adapted to guide the match being delivered through the aperture 29. This is accomplished by means of'the offset portion extending in alinement with the aperture 29, as shown in Fig. 2.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that an eiicient automatic pocket match box has been produced wherein a slide member is provided for delivering one match at a time, while a spring actuated finger is also provided for normally urging the matches within the box into engagement with the slide, as set forth.

lVhat I claim is:

In a match boX of the class described the combination of a hollow body, a curved finger pivot-ally mounted within said body, said iinger provided with a notch adjacent the fulcrum thereof, a flat spring carried within said body and extending in said notch and around said fulcrum for bearing upon the wall of said body whereby matches carried within said body will be urged toward one side thereof and means carried within said body for delivering one match at a time therefrom.-

In testimony whereof I hereunto aifix my signature.

ANDREW J. LILLY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner" of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

